Solitary Bee

Various species

Appearance

•  Often similar to the honey bee.

Habits

•  Colony size - small nests which are individually tended by a female.
•  Preferred nest sites - often in soil, sometimes in soft cement and mortar between bricks.
•  Nest construction - various materials. Usually a new nest each year.
•  Swarming - does not swarm.
•  Overwintering - usually in the pupal stage within the nest.
•  Food preferences - honey and pollen.
•  Rarely stings.